The name Harnam has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from Herman or Hermannus. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) The names are really the same; it was a common practice for scribes to record a given name in the Latin style, where us is the masculine suffix. The personal name meant warrior having derived from the Old French word hermant, or from the Old German words hariman or hereman, all of which meant "warrior." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) This name came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066. However, not all of the family moved to England as Ralph, William, Richard and Hugh Herman were all listed in Normandy in 1180. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)

Harnam Early Origins

The surname Harnam was first found in Norfolk where Willelmus Harmannus who was listed in 1208 in the St. Benet of Holme (1020-1240) is generally considered to be the first record of the name. Another branch was found in Sussex were William de Hermer was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Sussex in 1207. Simone Haremere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls in Sussex in 1296 and later William Harmere was listed in 1428. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Haremere Hall near Etchingham, East Sussex was home to this branch since the 12th century. By the 1600s the hall had fallen from their hands and was held by James Temple, one of the judges at the trial of King Charles I. Today it is now a Grade I listed Jacobean building and is still held in private hands. The YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Thomas Herman and Ricardus Harman as residing there at that time. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Harnam Spelling Variations

Harnam Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Harnam include Harman, Harmon and others.

Harnam Early History

Harnam Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harnam research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1101, 1621, 1646, 1640, 1646, 1440 and 1535 are included under the topic Early Harnam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harnam Early Notables (pre 1700)

Harnam Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harnam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harnam In Ireland

Harnam In Ireland

Some of the Harnam family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Charles Harman who settled in Virginia in 1622; Augustine Harman settled in Maryland in 1666 along with his wife, three sons, and four daughters; Francis Harman settled in New England in 1635.

MacAulay, Thomas Babington. History of England from the Accession of James the Second 4 volumes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1879. Print.

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The Harnam Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Harnam Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.